Drew Fickett and Hermes Franca Square Off for Vacated MFC Lightweight Title

Maximum Fighting Championship on Monday announced its return to the Edmonton, Alberta, Canada marketplace. MFC 30: Up Close & Personal is slated for June 10 at the Mayfield Conference Centre.

A battle for the vacant MFC lightweight championship headlines the card. A surging Drew Fickett faces former WEC champion Hermes Franca for the belt. The belt was “mutually vacated” by former champion Antonio McKee, according to MFC officials.

Fickett (41-13) is in the midst of a miraculous turnaround of his career. He had a disastrous campaign amidst personal troubles in 2009, losing five out of five bouts. He has since rebounded with five consecutive submission victories, including finishing Matt Veach in his MFC debut in January.

Franca (22-11) has been working on a resurrection of his own lately. After being cut loose by the UFC and retiring, he has put together a 3-2 record, winning his last three fights. Franca made his MFC debut by defeating Robert Washington in early April.

Other bouts announced for MFC 30 include a grudge match between UFC veteran Marcus Davis and “Ultimate Fighter Season 9” alum Richie Whitson, and a rematch between Sheldon Wescott and Thomas Denny, who fought to a draw at MFC 28.

MFC 30 tickets are available exclusively through the promotion’s own ticket hotline at 780-504-2024.